General Vocabulary

syenite C2

/ˈsaɪəˌnaɪt/ a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock composed mainly of alkali feldspar with minerals such as hornblende or biotite and little or no quartz Meaning Off Sound Off

fieldfare C2

/ˈfiːldfer/ a large Eurasian thrush, Turdus pilaris, with a gray head and rump, often seen in flocks during winter Meaning Off Sound Off

agrimony C2

/ˈæɡ.rɪˌmoʊ.ni/ a perennial herb of the genus Agrimonia, with spikes of small yellow flowers and bristly fruits Meaning Off Sound Off

relativist C2

/ˈɹɛl.ə.tɪv.ɪst/ One who follows, believes or espouses relativism. Meaning Off Sound Off

pastrycook C2

/ˈpeɪstriˌkʊk/ a cook or shopkeeper who specializes in pastries, cakes, and desserts Meaning Off Sound Off

hartshorn C2

/ˈhɑːrtsˌhɔrn/ dated: a solution or preparation of ammonia formerly used as smelling salts Meaning Off Sound Off

rushlight C2

/ˈrʌʃˌlaɪt/ an inexpensive candle made by dipping the dried pith of a rush in melted fat or grease Meaning Off Sound Off

scoter C2

/ˈskoʊtɚ/ a large northern sea duck of the genus Melanitta, whose adult males are predominantly black and which feeds by diving Meaning Off Sound Off

gewgaw C2

/ˈɡuɡɔ/ a showy but cheap or worthless trinket, ornament, or decorative object Meaning Off Sound Off

tympanum C2

/ˈtɪmpənəm/ the eardrum or tympanic membrane, and historically the middle-ear cavity behind it Meaning Off Sound Off

mulga C2

/ˈmɐlɡə/ Any of a number of small acacia trees, especially Acacia aneura, forming dense scrub in dry inland areas of Australia. Meaning Off Sound Off

triplane C2

/ˈtraɪˌpleɪn/ an airplane that has three pairs of wings, one above the others Meaning Off Sound Off

iodoform C2

/aɪˈoʊ.də.fɔːrm/ a pale yellow crystalline compound, CHI₃, with a strong odor, formerly used as an antiseptic Meaning Off Sound Off

ashlar C2

/ˈæʃ.lɚ/ a block of building stone cut or worked into a regular rectangular shape Meaning Off Sound Off

piggin C2

/ˈpɪɡɪn/ a small wooden pail or scoop made with one stave extending upward to form a handle Meaning Off Sound Off

foolscap C2

/ˈfʊlˌskæp/ a traditional British size of writing or printing paper, historically about 13 by 16 inches before folding or cutting Meaning Off Sound Off

thistledown C2

/ˈθɪs.əlˌdaʊn/ the soft, feathery hairs attached to ripe thistle seeds that help the wind carry them Meaning Off Sound Off

macaco C2

/məˈkɑːkoʊ/ a historical common name for the black lemur, Eulemur macaco, and formerly for several related lemurs Meaning Off Sound Off

boathook C2

/ˈboʊtˌhʊk/ a long pole with a hook at one end, used aboard a vessel to push off obstacles or catch a line, buoy, boat, or floating object Meaning Off Sound Off

frijol C2

/friːˈhoʊl/ a bean, especially a common bean of a kind widely eaten in Mexico and the southwestern United States Meaning Off Sound Off

counterplot C2

/ˈkaʊn.tɚ.plɑt/ a plot intended to subvert another plot Meaning Off Sound Off

harlequinade C2

/ˌhɑr.lə.kwəˈneɪd/ a comic theatrical entertainment featuring Harlequin and other stock characters, especially the concluding section of a traditional British pantomime Meaning Off Sound Off

quincunx C2

/ˈkwɪŋkʌŋks/ An arrangement of five units with four forming the corners of a square and the fifth at the centre of the square, a pattern corresponding to the five-spot on dice, playing cards, or dominoes Meaning Off Sound Off

deuteron C2

/ˈduː.təˌrɑːn/ the nucleus of a deuterium, or hydrogen-2, atom, consisting of one proton bound to one neutron Meaning Off Sound Off

hoarfrost C2

/ˈhɔːrfrɑːst/ a white deposit of feathery ice crystals formed when water vapor freezes directly onto a cold outdoor surface Meaning Off Sound Off

handspike C2

/ˈhænd.spaɪk/ a stout bar used as a lever, especially by sailors to turn a capstan or windlass Meaning Off Sound Off

reductio C2

/rɪˈdʌkʃiˌoʊ/ an argument that disproves a proposition by showing that it leads to an absurdity or contradiction; short for reductio ad absurdum Meaning Off Sound Off

greenstone C2

/ˈɡriːnˌstoʊn/ any of various compact dark-green rocks, especially altered basic igneous rocks such as diabase or diorite Meaning Off Sound Off

muscovado C2

/ˌmʌskəˈvɑːdoʊ/ a dark, moist, minimally refined cane sugar that retains much of its natural molasses Meaning Off Sound Off

tenantry C2

/ˈtɛnəntri/ the tenants of an estate, district, or landlord considered collectively Meaning Off Sound Off

billycock C2

/ˈbɪl.iˌkɑːk/ dated British: a stiff felt hat with a rounded crown, similar to a bowler hat Meaning Off Sound Off

gamboge C2

/ɡæmˈbuʒ/ a yellow to orange gum resin from Southeast Asian Garcinia trees, formerly used as a pigment and purgative Meaning Off Sound Off

taille C2

/taɪ/ A form of taxation levied on the land of peasants in pre-Revolutionary France. Meaning Off Sound Off

pilaster C2

/pɪˈlæstɚ/ a shallow rectangular column projecting from a wall, usually with a base and capital and often serving a decorative architectural role Meaning Off Sound Off

culverin C2

/ˈkʌlvəɹɪn/ a long-barreled cannon used chiefly in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Meaning Off Sound Off

antinomy C2

/ænˈtɪn.ə.mi/ a contradiction between two principles or conclusions that each appear reasonable or justified Meaning Off Sound Off

gimcrack C2

/ˈd͡ʒɪmkɹæk/ a showy ornament or object of little practical use or value Meaning Off Sound Off

twite C2

/twaɪt/ a small brown finch, Linaria flavirostris, breeding in northern Eurasia and identified by its yellow bill and forked tail Meaning Off Sound Off

hamadryas C2

/ˌhæməˈdraɪəs/ a large baboon native to northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, whose adult males have a silvery mantle Meaning Off Sound Off

aphis C2

/ˈeɪfɪs/ technical and now uncommon: an aphid, especially an aphid of the genus Aphis Meaning Off Sound Off

chiffonier C2

/ˌʃɪfəˈnɪr/ a tall, narrow chest of drawers or cabinet, sometimes fitted with a mirror Meaning Off Sound Off

votary C2

/ˈvoʊtəri/ a devoted follower, supporter, or practitioner of a cause, leader, or pursuit Meaning Off Sound Off

betony C2

/ˈbɛtəni/ a perennial herb, especially Stachys officinalis, with spikes of purple flowers and a history of medicinal use Meaning Off Sound Off

parlourmaid C2

/ˈpɑːr.lərˌmeɪd/ historical: a domestic maid responsible for receiving visitors, serving meals, and caring for reception rooms Meaning Off Sound Off

maidenhair C2

/ˈmeɪdənˌhɛr/ a fern of the genus Adiantum, with delicate fan-shaped leaflets on slender dark stalks Meaning Off Sound Off

inexactitude C2

/ˌɪnɪɡˈzæktəˌtuːd/ lack of exactness, accuracy, or precision Meaning Off Sound Off

crinoid C2

/ˈkraɪnɔɪd/ a marine echinoderm of the class Crinoidea, including sea lilies and feather stars, with feathery arms around a central body Meaning Off Sound Off

obolus C2

/ˈɑː.bə.ləs/ an ancient Greek coin, especially a small silver coin worth one sixth of a drachma Meaning Off Sound Off

rodomontade C2

/ˌɹɑː.də.mənˈteɪd/ formal or literary: vain, boastful, or pretentious talk or behavior Meaning Off Sound Off

gobbet C2

/ˈɡɑ.bɪt/ a lump, chunk, or fragment of something soft, especially raw flesh Meaning Off Sound Off

raillery C2

/ˈreɪlɚi/ formal: good-humored teasing, banter, or lightly mocking talk Meaning Off Sound Off

coign C2

/kɔɪn/ archaic spelling of quoin: an external corner or projecting angle of a wall, especially one emphasized with contrasting masonry Meaning Off Sound Off

venery C2

/ˈvɛnəri/ the pursuit of sexual pleasure Meaning Off Sound Off

allamanda C2

/ˌæləˈmændə/ a tropical American shrub or woody vine of the genus Allamanda, grown for its large funnel-shaped flowers Meaning Off Sound Off

fritillary C2

/ˈfrɪtəlɛri/ any of several orange, brown, or tawny butterflies, especially nymphalids with dark markings and often silvery spots beneath the wings Meaning Off Sound Off

hydrographer C2

/haɪˈdrɑːɡrəfər/ a specialist who surveys, measures, and charts oceans, rivers, coasts, and other bodies of water, especially for navigation Meaning Off Sound Off

baldric C2

/ˈbɔldɹɪk/ a broad, often ornamented belt worn diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip to support a sword, bugle, or other equipment Meaning Off Sound Off

muntjac C2

/ˈmʌntdʒæk/ a small Asian deer of the genus Muntiacus, whose barking call gives it the alternative name barking deer Meaning Off Sound Off

eclat C2

/eɪˈklɑː/ brilliant, stylish, or conspicuous effect or display Meaning Off Sound Off

sunbonnet C2

/ˈsʌnˌbɑnət/ a bonnet with a broad brim or projecting sides designed to shade the face and neck from sunlight Meaning Off Sound Off

coccus C2

/ˈkɑːkəs/ a bacterium with a spherical or roughly spherical shape Meaning Off Sound Off

doggery C2

/ˈdɔːɡəri/ historical US: a cheap, disreputable saloon or tavern Meaning Off Sound Off

luteum C2

corpus luteum Meaning Off Sound Off

stiver C2

/ˈstaɪvər/ a former Dutch coin worth one twentieth of a guilder Meaning Off Sound Off

napery C2

/ˈneɪpɚi/ household linen, especially tablecloths and napkins Meaning Off Sound Off

commonweal C2

/ˈkɑmənˌwil/ the welfare, prosperity, or good shared by all members of a community Meaning Off Sound Off

porterage C2

/ˈpɔɹtəɹəd͡ʒ/ the work or service of carrying luggage or goods, especially by a porter Meaning Off Sound Off

promptitude C2

/ˈprɑːmp.təˌtuːd/ the characteristic of doing things without delay Meaning Off Sound Off

gunmaker C2

/ˈɡʌnˌmeɪkər/ One who manufactures guns. Meaning Off Sound Off

moue C2

/muː/ a small pout or grimace expressing disdain, discontent, mock annoyance, or flirtatious displeasure Meaning Off Sound Off

aiguille C2

/eɪˈɡwiːl/ a sharp, needle-shaped pinnacle of rock, especially in the Alps Meaning Off Sound Off

metatarsus C2

/ˌmɛtəˈtɑːrsəs/ the part of a vertebrate foot between the tarsus and the toes, consisting in humans of five metatarsal bones Meaning Off Sound Off

zareba C2

/zəˈriːbə/ an improvised defensive enclosure or stockade, especially one made from thorn bushes in parts of Africa Meaning Off Sound Off

pomander C2

/ˈpoʊ.mæn.dɚ/ historical: a ball of aromatic substances carried for fragrance or as a supposed protection against infection Meaning Off Sound Off

blackcap C2

/ˈblækˌkæp/ a small Eurasian warbler, Sylvia atricapilla, whose adult male has a black crown Meaning Off Sound Off

corncrib C2

/ˈkɔrnˌkrɪb/ a ventilated farm building or bin used to store and dry ears of maize Meaning Off Sound Off

plastron C2

/ˈplæstrən/ the lower, usually flatter part of a turtle's or tortoise's shell Meaning Off Sound Off

bema C2

/ˈbimə/ a raised platform in ancient Greece used by speakers, officials, or judges addressing an assembly or court Meaning Off Sound Off

positronium C2

/ˌpɒzɪˈtɹɒniəm/ an unstable exotic atom consisting of an electron bound to its antiparticle, a positron, with no atomic nucleus Meaning Off Sound Off

fardel C2

/ˈfɑɹdəl/ archaic or literary: a bundle carried as a load; figuratively, a burden Meaning Off Sound Off

piastre C2

/piˈæstɚ/ historical: a coin or monetary unit of varying value, especially a Spanish piece of eight or an Ottoman currency unit Meaning Off Sound Off

kirkyard C2

/ˈkɪɹkjaɹd/ A churchyard, especially one in Scotland. Meaning Off Sound Off

workbox C2

/ˈwɝːkˌbɑːks/ a box for holding sewing, needlework, craft, or other work materials and tools Meaning Off Sound Off

periphrasis C2

/pəˈrɪfrəsɪs/ an indirect or roundabout way of expressing something Meaning Off Sound Off

elogium C2

/ɪˈloʊdʒiəm/ a formal expression of praise; an encomium or eulogy Meaning Off Sound Off

auspice C2

/ˈɔspɪs/ Patronage or protection. Meaning Off Sound Off

whipcord C2

/ˈwɪpˌkɔrd/ a thin, strong, tightly twisted cord, originally used for the lash of a whip Meaning Off Sound Off

chrysolite C2

/ˈkɹɪs.əˌlaɪt/ a yellow-green or golden-green gem variety of olivine, now generally called peridot Meaning Off Sound Off

casuistry C2

/ˈkæʒuːəstɹi/ case-based moral reasoning that applies general principles to particular practical dilemmas Meaning Off Sound Off

ambuscade C2

/ˈæm.bəˌskeɪd/ an ambush, or a concealed position from which a surprise attack is made Meaning Off Sound Off

linstock C2

/ˈlɪnˌstɑk/ A pointed forked staff, shod with iron at the foot, to hold a lighted match for firing cannon. Meaning Off Sound Off

tumbril C2

/ˈtʌmbɹɪl/ historical: a cart used to carry condemned prisoners to execution, especially to the guillotine during the French Revolution Meaning Off Sound Off

millrace C2

/ˈmɪlreɪs/ a channel that carries a current of water to or away from a waterwheel Meaning Off Sound Off

charivari C2

/ʃɑːɹɪˈvɑːɹi/ historical: a noisy mock serenade made with pots, pans, and other instruments, traditionally directed at newlyweds or a disapproved couple Meaning Off Sound Off

poniard C2

/ˈpɑn.jɚd/ historical: a dagger with a slender blade, often of triangular or square cross section Meaning Off Sound Off

diablerie C2

/diˈɑːbləri/ sorcery, witchcraft, or supposed dealings with devils Meaning Off Sound Off